Henry Franklin

Henry 'Skipper' Franklin is a cornerstone of the Los Angeles jazz tradition, bridging the gap between the bebop era and the spiritual/fusion movements of the 1970s. Trained by classical masters and jazz legends like Al McKibbon, Franklin developed a technique characterized by a massive, authoritative tone and a relentless sense of swing.

His career is inextricably linked to the Black Jazz Records label, where he released seminal works that defined the 'spiritual jazz' sound, characterized by modal structures and a focus on collective consciousness. Franklin's influence extends through his work with Hugh Masekela, Hampton Hawes, and Freddie Hubbard, proving his versatility across hard bop, Latin jazz, and avant-garde styles. Critically, he is revered for his 'Skipper' and 'Skipper at Home' albums, which are considered holy grails for vinyl collectors and crate diggers. His recent collaboration with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad for the Jazz Is Dead series has revitalized his profile, connecting his classic 70s aesthetic with modern production sensibilities.